High-powered forwards Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne have signed one-year contracts with the Colorado Avalanche, a source

[jayC]

Thursday, July 3

Stars sign one-year deals; Kariya takes big paycut

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Associated Press


DENVER -- High-powered forwards Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne have signed one-year contracts with the Colorado Avalanche, a source within the NHL told The Associated Press.



When a move like this is made, it makes your jaw drop. This is a good move for the Avalanche for two reasons:

One, they've added two world-class players in Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne. Everyone in the NHL knows how good they are and how good they are together. They're great players on and off the ice, limiting any concerns about character issues.

Second, this gives Colorado the chance to shuffle some of its other assets. It's now possible for the Avs to use Martin Skoula and Steve Reinprecht as trade bait to address needs like adding more depth to the blue line or acquiring a top-flight goaltender.

But this isn't as bad as it may seem for the Mighty Ducks, who knew Kariya was gone. Although Kariya is a terrific player, Anaheim's position has been that one player isn't bigger than the team and it takes more than Kariya for the team to win. Unless Anaheim was going to add another player, it'd be difficult for Kariya to put up the kind of numbers he's used to.


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The signing of the unrestricted free agents, which reunites two of the top forwards in the league, was to be announced at a 4 p.m. ET news conference on Thursday.


In five years together in Anaheim, Selanne and Kariya were linemates and prolific scorers for the Mighty Ducks. Selanne was traded to San Jose in March 2001.


Kariya, who played with the Mighty Ducks last season, agreed to a $1.2 million contract, according to the league source who spoke Thursday to the AP on condition of anonymity.


Selanne, who declined his option at $6.5 million with the Sharks, agreed to a $5.8 million contract with Colorado, the source said.


The source said Kariya had specific reasons for signing the relatively low contract figure, but did not elaborate. Selanne was not expected to be at the news conference, remaining in his homeland of Finland.


Kariya, a left wing, had six goals and six assists over 21 games this postseason, helping lead the Mighty Ducks to the NHL finals, where they lost to New Jersey in seven games.


The seven-time All-Star has played his entire career in Anaheim, where he was a team leader. He became an unrestricted free agent Monday night when the Ducks declined to make him a qualifying offer, refusing to match the $10 million he made last season.


Kariya played in all 82 games for the second consecutive year, and had 25 goals and 56 points. He holds a string of team records, including most career goals (300) and assists (369).


Selanne had 28 goals and 64 points last season, leading the team in both categories while improving his two-way game and physical play. He was named the team's most valuable player.


In declining his option, Selanne believed he could make more money on the free-agent market.


He was one of the most attractive scorers available this summer, although it was unlikely he could get a lucrative long-term deal with the expiration of the NHL's collective bargaining agreement looming in September